Used 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Consumer Reviews
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The best car ever
I bought this car October 2006 and I never had any problem with it, it runs good and it worth every dollar . It's really surprise me to know that the company has closed down in USA, it's really a lost not to have this brand here. I recommended to everyone and I really enjoy driving it as the first day I had it. I just recently replaced the battery ( after 8 years) and I had no other issues. I love Suzuki and if the company still around it will be my first choice , better than Honda or Toyota .
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
One of the best cars I have ever owned
Bought new in Denver, in 3/2006. Is turning 100,000 tomorrow, so here's a review: Very fun to drive, "tight" feel, firm but not overly so suspension, decent ground clearance. TRUE 4x4, with Low Range- EXC! I lived @ 8,600' elevation for 7 years, and this little beast will climb thru 3' of powder snow with mud and snow tires. Decent sound system with subwoofer, CLIMATE CONTROL is really terrific! Comfy seats, but the driver's is coming apart a bit.
- Luxury 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,500402 mi away
- XSport 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,9951,132 mi away
- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,9001,288 mi away
The Wonderful World of the Grand Vitara
I bought a 2006 Grand Vitara this summer and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. The engine has a very quick response with zero hesitation. The vehicle is very easy to maneuver and parking is a breeze. The Grand Vitara is so much fun to drive, I am a middle aged woman who feels every bit a teenager when I drive this vehicle!
113K and still fun to drive
I bought my Suzuki new in 2006 and have had no issues other than one tire change and a couple of brake jobs. I am sad that Suzuki no longer makes this vehicle because it has served me well and has been nothing short of reliable.
At 60,000 miles as good as Honda or Toyota
I am happy to report that my GV has been very reliable. I bought the GV new in October of 2005, minus a recall for an idler pulley, and an oxygen sensor that went bad I have only had to perform regular maintenance. The body, and interior have held up well. No different from a Honda or Toyota product, which I have also owned. The GV has taken the harsh NJ winters with stride. The GV offers lots of value, and its interior is quite spacious for a small SUV.
RAV4 and CR-V Watch Out
I have owned a RAV4 and CR-V in the past and was not expecting much when I checked out the '06 Grand Vitara. The Suzuki beats Toyota and Honda at their own game with this vehicle. Its great standard features and really nice build quality won me over. The fit and finish is first rate and is significantly less expensive than the competition. My advice would be to give it a fair chance if you are even considering getting a Honda or Toyota.
LOVE IT!!
iv had my grand vitara for about a year now and im very happy i bought it. When i first bought it the headlights were dual but i bought new sylvania head lights and they work great. love the AWD love turning corners way to fast! engine looks and sound great. im always getting complements on how it looks as well. i take it off roading pretty frequently and she loves it. my grand vitara now has 65,000 miles on it and still runs like brand new! i also love the leather, heated seats and moon roof, makes driving my car more fun..i have had a couple cars before, a 2002 chevy trailblazer LTZ, a 2006 toyota highlander, a 2008 hyundia elantra and now my suzuki. i'm 19 years old and im in love with it
Nothing But Headaches After the First 3 Years
I loved this vehicle for exactly 3 years. I purchased it new in October of 2006. It seems like all the problems began on November 1, 2009. There were multiple recalls (I received notice of the power steering belt recall two weeks after having it replaced); I've replaced the tires twice; the headlights go out all the time; the CD player no longer works. Most recently, I've been having engine troubles. My mechanic tells me that the throttle body has some kind of defect that makes it prone to getting clogged. As a result, my car won't start sometimes. My last Suzuki had a rear main seal leak at 55,000 miles. I should have learned my lesson then... At 78000 with this one; hope to get to 100000
Our First Family SUV
When we first test drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara, we could feel its intense power and handling. It was widely noticed with its hot sleek looks, and came with a 4 mode 4WD system that I only expected from top end vehicles. The 2006 model was the first to have the new looks. Recently we went through a blizzard and the SUV handled amazingly. No slipping or getting stuck in the snow.
My Grand Vitara - The best - Long May You Run
I bought my Grand Vitara new so I could break it in correctly. 10 years later it had 228,000 miles on it. I'm not kidding when I say it was the best car I've ever owned. It felt solid and was dependable. Very capable in snow. It helped save my parrot's life - I had to take her into the doctor's office during record snowfall and we made it. No major repairs. Just regular maintenance, be sure to keep fluids up especially the transmission transfer case and differential. The V6 engine is pretty fuel efficient if you keep the speed down to 55 or 60 mph. 23 mpg combined with mostly highway driving. I loved the design of the dash - major lights were white and blue, secondary controls in red. Very beautiful. The interior materials - dash and instrument panels where the radio is - are a step up from previous Suzuki's I've owned. My only complaint is with the CD Radio for the 2006 year. Plan on replacing it - the CD seems to break down quickly. If you replace it with a 2007 or newer CD player it will last. Great trivia - The Suzuki V6 engine is also used as an aircraft engine - for a 3/4 scale P-51 Mustang WWII reissue. Suzuki also helped design the Saturn Vue. I had to sell my GV because I am going on a long trip to Arizona and I needed something with less miles. My replacement car, a Mazda CX5 is nice but it doesn't have the feel of my GV. If Suzuki comes back to the U.S., I will be one of their first customers.
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Enjoyable and Reliable
So far the Suzuki Grand Vitara has been a very enjoyable and reliable vehicle. I truly like the vehicle line, style and comfort. Features I would have liked to have are bluetooth, a power lock/unlock button on the passenger side, and an iPod jack.
Suzuki Has Really Improved
I have driven in 2003, 2004, 2005 Grand Vitaras, but I got into the new body style and chassis and there were no comparison of how much better it rode. The power of the engine and the look inside and outside are extremely great. It has a little engine noise as you take off. Overall I'm very pleased!
Disappointed
Loved my Grand Vitara when I bought it new. Now have 65K+ miles on it, have replaced a headlight bulb, dome bulb has burned out, replaced tires at 40K miles, 3 recalls, and recently power steering rack had to be replaced. Had to replace strut mount bearings as well. It also smells musty every time it rains, but cannot find where any water is coming in. Would not buy another Suzuki. Owned a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick for 4 years, and absolutely loved it, no problems at all. Disappointed in my Grand Vitara. Road noise is also very loud..seems to get worse as miles are added to vehicle.
Has held up well
Have owned my GV since October, 2005. It now has 52,000 miles. So far have only replaced front brake pads once, power steering idler pulley (under recall), oil changes, coolant, wiper blades, headlight bulbs (twice) and a new set of tires at 40,000 mi. The vehicle has been trouble free minus the recall above. I have no real complaints with reliability/durability. Wish fuel mileage were better. Has held up quite well.
Tire/AC woes but overall I'm very happy
Used to have a 2000 Kia Sportage that I adored. I am coming to love my Suzuki almost as much; however, I am not in love with my service technicians! Had to spend $300 on new tires and an alignment. AC keeps gushing water onto my passenger side floor. Been to dealer at least 6-7 times since February with these two problems. Overall, though, I'd buy another Suzuki.
Awesome
I've owned this vehicle for a year now, and I like it as much as when it was brand new. It is great on slippery roads/snow, has a lot of room for its class, and is quite comfortable for long trips. I really can't think of anything I'm displeased with.
Great SUV
I decided to write a review as I kept seeing lower reviews for this model. I have no idea why. I have owed over 15 cars (all new over the years), and this is a nice SUV. In over 60,000 miles, I have not had to take the car in for any type of warranty work at all. Just the normal oil & lubes and maintenance. My front brakes finally had to be replaced at around 42,000. My only complaint is that the MPG is too low for this size SUV with a 6 cylinder. I get a combined of around 18. I feel it should get at least 20. Other than that, the pricing was great and I have absolutely no complaints.
My 'Lil Red Fire Truck
I am so happy with my new car! I was very skeptical of small SUVs until I drove this one. I was quite surprised at all of the wonderful safety features and how it hugs the road. It does not feel like a 4 wheel drive SUV, it feels like a luxury car. I love my new 'lil red fire truck!
Should Have Better Tires
I purchased my Grand Vitara in April. I only had 12,000 miles on it when I had to replace my rear tires. I would think the tires should last longer than that. I took the car back to the dealership that I purchased it at an I was told there was nothing they could do for me (bummer)! Check your tires! Have them rotated and make sure that your have the the air pressure checked.
Please don't waste your money
I bought this suv brand new with 7 miles on it, it's horrible there has been muilt recalls, i've had to put money into repairing it month after month... complete waste! ( only 50,000 miles)
We love our Vitara
For the money, this car is well-equipped and runs great. We live in snow country and put four Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires on the vehicle, it is unstoppable.
So Far a Great Vehicle!
I was hesitant to buy this vehicle. I am really impressed overall with the levels of comfort and features. It has two minor flaws: 1) higher road and engine noise than I expected. 2) Window on tailgate doesn't open. Overall I would recomend this vehicle.
Suzuki 06
We were happy with our vehicle in the first year of purchase.We have now realized that we need more room and the fuel economy is not what was expected by far!! It does not pick up speed as well either. A good car but not great. We are a family of four now and need something more efficient and roomy.
Good solid vehicle
My brother bought a 2007 CRV, I like this vehicle much more. It has just as many options and more power. The only problem that I have is with the fuel economy. In Pittsburgh, I am averaging about 16 mpg without lead footing. There is a rear tire wear problem. I am going to get a 4 wheel alignment done as suggested. Overall, great car for the price. It's not worth shelling out the extra money for the Rav4, CRV, or Santa Fe.
HVAC
Hi guys, I had no heat in my Grand Vitara after the huge snow storm. Its been a week since I brought it back to the dealer with the problem. The dealer said my heating blower went bad. Suzuki doesnt have him in the stock and they were on back order. Nobody knows when the part will be in and when I will have heat in my car. The dealer said that I was the fourth person to come in with the same issue. Since I am not the only one having this problem to me this seems to be a recall issue. I just want to let everybody know.
2006 4WD LUX MODEL
After 15k miles w/ this vehicle, I'm coming away quite impressed. The power from the 2.7L V6 is adequate for most situations; I've never felt it didn't have enough power to pass or merge. Could it use another 20hp and 30ft/lb of torque? Sure it could. For what it is, the little V6 does just fine. The trans. sometimes stays in a lower gear longer than wanted (uphill climbs). Releasing the gas pedal and allowing the trans to upshift, and then reapplying throttle very gently, usually works to keep vehicle in highest gear possible. Interior design is awesome, "clean and modern". Materials used are consistant w/ this vehicles price range. If you want Lexus luxury, then you should buy Lexus.
Great Vehicle for the Money
Very reliable and fun to drive. No tire wear problems as others have had. Handles great in snow. Gas mileage as advertised - don't expect anything better. Seems to depreciate quickly, but purchase price was low in comparison to CRX and Rav4.
Good Alternative
Overall the Suzuki Grand Vitara offers more value for the dollar compared to the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4. Its gas mileage, ~ 19 mpg city, is about the only negative on this vehicle. The quality, ride, handling, braking, controls, etc are excellent.
Good buy
We put 20000+ miles and had very little problems. Only mechanical problem was a squeak in the steering colunm, which was fixed. Gas mileage was OK with about 21.5 mpg on hiway. The car rode and handled as good as any we drove in its class. The hood did cast a shadow on low beam. The cruise contol did shift too soon on an incline, even thought the engine had plenty of power. I liked the car, although we have traded for XL7 because needed three rows of seats.
First Impressions
I wanted to trade a Hemi V8 that I loved for a vehicle with an automatic transmission and better gas mileage. I knew Suzuki for their bikes but knew nothing about their automobiles. After doing some research I found that they have been faily well known overseas in quite a few countries. Anyway, I test drove a couple of different models and was there when the new Grand Vitara arrived. The changes and improvements are quite noticable so I purchased the luxury model. I am coming up to 1,000 miles and my first impressions are favorable. The truck has good looks, and decent pickup with the V6 motor. The luxury package makes the vehicle and it gets reasonable gas mileage. Do your research on some owners' sites and go from there. Good Luck.
Good Buy so far
I bought my suzuki with 18,000 miles already on it. The gas mileage is as stated if you drive 55mph or less, at 70mph it drops to 19/21 mpg. engine power is 'avg' but the transmission seems weak. Interior is holding together well, so is exterior. 4-wheel alignment is a must as it comes from the factory way off. The brakes seem to fade away when slowing from high speeds. Undecided if i would buy another Suzuki or not, but i think a better vehicle would be much more expensive.
Great Value
The vehicle is very smooth shifting and very powerful. It's much faster than the Jeep Liberty that I had. The power is better that most of the vehicles that I viewed. I have not had ANY problems with my Grand Vitara. Neither has my wife who has the Luxury model. I have purchased 7 cars in the last 4 years and I would have to say I like it the most, over the Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Endeavor to name a few.
Good Car For The Money
Like the both interior and exterior style. Overall built well. Handles nicely. Being from the old school, keyless entry and drive is a waste. Too many settings for both windshield wipers and lights. Door locks drive me nuts. Up here in the mountains of NC it could use some extra hp and torque. The performance is much better in FL on flat land. We have taken this car on several trips and I have little complaint other than the mileage. The poor hwy mpg really is an issue for a small engine of this size. Gets close to the same hwy miles as my 95 Explorer 4.0 V6. Good car for the money. Stylish and nice to drive.
What I love and hate
I LOVE the radio controls on the steering wheel. The look and feel of the car is great. I HATE that its so hard to change the head lights and they burn out often and are uneven at night. I HATE that when the back windows are rolled down half way, a horrible pressure chamber hits your ears and an awful noise fills the car. I'm told this is because the roof is not heavy enough and if we put a rack on top, that won't happen? Oh, brother! It's Apr 2010 and just had a major electrical problem that cost $800 and wasn't covered by the warranty. The back door stopped shutting all the way, got that fixed. The brake light comes on intermittently now. It's hard to see out the small back window.
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a great vehicle and a great value.
Not a good 100k mi vehicle
I bought it at 93k miles to have a reliable daily driver that was good in the snow. The AWD/4wd with low range is excellent in the snow and it could probably do anything with snow tires. However, the vehicle is at 113k mi now. It IS an older car and naturally I expected to have to fix a couple things and perform maintenance. However, since I bought the vehicle: valve stem seals have begun leaking, valve cover gasket leaking, shocks leaking, power steering leaking, gas leak from somewhere i haven't found yet, several engine sensors failing causing check engine lights, AC temp sensor failed (you can set it blazing hot or ice cold), ac blower motor failed (very easily replaced), duct that directs airflow in the cabin gets stuck in the cold, low beams burn out every month or two and sometimes melt the socket (bulbs aren't cheap nor are they easy to replace). Etc. Basically started self destructing at 100k and every time I fix one thing, 3 more things fail. It was probably a really decent car when new, but it' s garbage as an older used car.
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
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- Reliability
- Value
Best Buy for the Money!
Before we bought, we test drove the CR-V, RAV4, and Forester. The Gran Vitara, had the roomiest interior and is very comfortable. It I am 6 feet tall and the wife is 4'10", and to find a small SUV that would be comfortable for the both of us was not easy. The Grand Vitara, fit like a glove! It was also the quietest on the road, had a 6-cylinder engine for extra power, and it has plenty of that. It also had other features that we wanted like air bags, front and side, electronic transfer case, and ESP with traction control. My wife swears the ESP saved her from a wreck one day when she had to swerve to miss a car that had pulled out in front of her! This vehicle has great fit and finish, this one is a keeper!
2006 Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara has great handling, pickup speed, is roomy, it is really fun to drive with all the comforts of a luxury vehicle. The downside is that it's a gas hog.
A Fun Car to Drive
I have 18,000 miles on my Grand Vitara and up to now I haven't had one problem. The other day while making a rather sharp right hand turn at, maybe, 10 mph, a horrible noise came out from somewhere underneath the truck. At this point, my wife (who drives the car everyday to and from work) said to me "oh yeh, I forgot to tell you - it's been making that noise when I turn right at this particular intersection." It doesn't do it all the time, and I suspect that it probably won't do it when I take it to the dealership. Other than this, it's been a reliable car so far. I'm worried about this noise because believe me, it is loud. It will turn heads if anyone is nearby. The cruise control needs some refining.
Would never own another Suzuki
Bought my GV with 17 miles on it and by 13,ooo miles had to replace 2 tires. At 23,000 had to replace the other two tires. Had to deal with 2 recall issues, one happened before the recall notice was made. Brakes started to feel mushy and at 38,000 miles 2 more tires were wearing out!! Gas mileage was terrible and the head lights made driving terrible at night! Just traded it in on 09/06/10 for a Toyota that I love!! Buying the Suzuki was the most costly and stupid mistake I ever made.
I think it's a good SUV
I purchased in may of 2006 ( V6 ),the first year milage was rough , but now i'm getting 20 plus around town and 25 plus from the N.E. corner of Pa to Phila a 120 mile run . Mostly on the turnpike .Its a pleasure to run the pike with this smooth riding and running SUV. I'm pretty pickey . I have purchased 15 new cars and trucks over the years not counting the used ones . I rate this very Good and its easier for me to get in with my bad back then a subaru which is too low.
Hate my 2006 Grand Vitara 4x4
In July 2007 I replaced my 2004 Ford Explorer for a 2006 Grand Vitara which has an auto 4x4 feature. This vehicle handles good on normal roads but when winter came it quickly changed. If I hit a patch of ice it swerves left to right. Had it checked out by the dealer--nothing wrong. Was told I must have driven too fast for conditions. How could that be when everyone was passing me? Handles well in snow and heavy snow but forget the ice or slick spots on freeway. If you stomp on it so the 4x4 kicks in it helps but when you let off it we start slipping again. I don't feel safe in this car. I'll be trading it off soon. I'm going back to Ford.
Gas Guzzler
I've had my Grand Vitara for six months now. It is totally a gas guzzler. Mine is only averaging 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on highways. The culprit is the high reving engine and confusing climate control system. It seems like the A/C always turns on. It is a total disappointment.
Lots of SUV for the Price
This is my first SUV. I did a lot of pricing and research, and found that the Grand Vitara XSport offers the best package compared to its competitors. I love how it drives and handles. The interior is very refined and classy, and it has a well-finished exterior. I am very impressed with my GV and I have noticed heads turn when I am parking or riding the vehicle. Family and friends' eyes have popped when they ask how much this particular model goes for. All of them thought it should cost a lot more!
First Time Suzuki Owner and Lovin' it!
We had been researching available SUV's in the "compact" class for about two years. I needed reliability and some ruggedness for driving in the E. TN mountain roads, yet affordability with increasing gas prices in mind. At the last minute I passed by a Suzuki dealer and stopped in by chance. Wow!..I loved the truck..and REALLY loved the price. I bought the SUV without knowing anything about Suzuki cars,..and have come love it. I got a this luxury model loaded...and got it for about $15,000 less than a comparable Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. They are both good vehicles, but not any better than the Grand Vitara has been for me so far. I took a chance...and I got great value at a great price!
not all that great
all 4 tires only lasted 1yr, 17'' rims just makes it very expensive to replace tires and spare only had 16''rim, 6 cd player ate my cds and to replace costs hundreds, replaced battery 3X already, replaced both headlights 3X already, replaced broken rear shock that caused the car to fishtail in bad weather, was told it was a 4WD when I bought it but wasn't, seats very uncomfortable and hard, dummy lights continue to come on randomly, brakes always squealed, interior light just fell into pieces, if your auto headlight switch is off, which is hidden behind the steering wheel, you can be driving at night with no tail lights. very dangerous, window cracks too easy. 2nd window cracking. Etc Etc..
Should have test driven
I just purchased a 2006 Grand Vitara about 2 weeks ago and am very dissapointed. I chose not to test drive it assuming it would be similar to my 2003 Vitara. Boy was I wrong. The seats are like sitting on a hard piece of wood, the shifter is difficult to put into gear, the seat is not meant for a small person and it is not that great on gas. Lesson learned (ALWAYS test drive!!!!!)
Horrible
This is a horrible driving car in snow and rain . Absolutely no traction. I hate this car .
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- Value
Great little suv
I have about 30,000 miles on my 06 GV luxury and have been very happy with it. This is the only compact suv with real 4WD. I drive on the beach all season with this and love the way it handles on and off road. Had one issue with a faulty throttle body bit once replaced acceleration was excellent. Love the appearance, size, interior, stereo. Hope future models improve gas mileage. Great for a small family.
New to Suzuki Cars
After looking at and driving every small SUV, were set on a Jeep Liberty. On the way to purchase we saw the Grand Vitara and stopped. Took a test drive and purchased. It drives nice, looks great and offers many features for the money. With no prior experience with Suzuki cars, although I currently own 4 Suzuki motorcycles, it was the warranty that made the decision to purchase easy!